I use retin A alternating with bi weekly Lactic Acid (10% from Diana Yvonne)

Very happy with this except for stubborn clogged pores. I don't have inflamed acne or really blackheads even, but almost all of my pores are clogged. Always has been this way: through detox, vegan, no white-carb, everything...

I was thinking to incorporate a beta element into the days I use the lactic acid. I was thinking layer the salicylic first and then the lactic. But all of the salycilic peels i'm interested in seem to use alcohol (which I know is to cut the skin oil) I'm having BAAAD stridex flashbacks and while I don't have dry skin, I don't want to strip it either.

I'm not interested in anything blended with a moisturizer. I'm also only interested in something that is self-neutralizing (which lactic and salicylic both are) or can be left on. I read a pretty compelling review on why your AHA should be used as I described (left on, nothing else after) at a model recommends and that's why I want something to leave on. And I've been happy using this approach with the lactic, just want to add a BHA to get inside the pores.

My choices seem to be: 2% BHA followed by 10% Lactic (my concern is the alcohol as I mentioned)

or this one looks interesting, but I'm concerned that the BHA coming from the white willow bark may not be strong enough:

I think a daily BHA exfoliant would be best, just from my own experience. However, I cannot recommend one and am too looking for something I can use every day with my current regimen.

I currently use JM bioclear lotion. Although great in many ways at least for me, it's quite expensive and can leave a shine on my face; i suppose if i used a moisturizer on top this would help?. I tend to avoid moisturizers because they either contain oil or too many ingredients/extracts that end up clogging my pores and defeating the purpose. So needless to say im looking for an alternative that does not use alcohol. I think anything with a pH of like 3.4 that is without alcohol is the best.

Alpha Hydrox makes some good AHA's which are pretty cheap but somewhat effective (the one i had clogged my pores though ;( ). I see it as an alternative to the link you posted as all AHA's will do what that article describes as "liquid gold". I'm using Olay Regenerist Night Elixir as it has AHA in it, very mild, but i can tell it works. I think the key is to keep using it.

I was looking at that one DarkMoon, but MUAC told me I'd have to give up three days of the Retin A, so I think it might be a little too strong. Plus it has alcohol in it as well.

I do know that the SD alcohol is used in peels to improve delivery, but I don't really plan to be using this as a peel but rather as a 2 or 3 times weekly treatment. I've read in some rather compelling places that SD alcohol is cytotoxic, and if this was an occasional peel, I might say that the benefits outweigh the risks... but using this regularly, I'm a bit nervous.

I know skin biology sells their lacsal (8.5% lactic, 1.5% salicylic IIRC) and its alcohol free, but the pH is quite high at 4.0 which concerns me about its effectiveness.

Why not give 2% BHA a try and see if it works for you. I wouldn't want to use a product with alcohol on a regular basis either. I know it wouldn't work well for me.

Paula's Choice has several options at the right pH. I know PC is working on a 8% BHA but I don't know when it will be out. Neutrogena also has some well formulated 1-2% products. It is hard to find a higher % that doesn't contain alcohol, especially when so many 2% contain it.

well, I'm torn between the paula's choicce 2% (which I'm worried about some low ratings on makeupalley and some of the ingredients), this one from silk naturals (which is I know is basically DIY, except I have no desire to fool around with pH right now), and the lacsal (which the pH still concerns me).

Which Paula's Choice formula are you considering? I've been using the liquid for a long time. I've found that the basic formula works best for me, I didn't care for the lotion or gel. The liquid absorbs well too.

Which Paula's Choice formula are you considering? I've been using the liquid for a long time. I've found that the basic formula works best for me, I didn't care for the lotion or gel. The liquid absorbs well too.

Silk Naturals uses willow bark, IMO not very effective.

I was worried about the pH issue.... why would such a reputable company as skinbio make such a high pH for an acid product?

Well, then Paula's choice it is (and, yes, I was considering the liquid, i think I had looked at the gel list of ingredients by mistake) followed by diana yvonne's lactic acid (which i lub)

You can get 8% and 15% IIRC at Makeup Artist's Choice, but it has alcohol

UmEnis,

Have you used it before? If so, how was it?

I've never used their salicylic. I've used the one at Diana Yvonne and liked it a lot. It wasn't drying for me but I'm concerned about the long term effects of the alcohol on skin cell health. I loooooove her lactic acid 10% though!

I've used MUAC's TCA peels though and really liked them. Other people don't so much because they have AHA's in them which can increase stinging, but I found it manageable. They have pretty good customer service I found as does Diana Yvonne.

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Fri Feb 22, 2019 8:51 am

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